Reflect on Respect

During this busy examination registration and preparation week, I had a several encounters with teachers which made me consider how much respect other people seemed to give me and how much respect I believe I am giving others. I had approached teachers whose help I am grateful to have received. I had also given advice and guidance to those who had approached me.

For me, I believe that the amount of trust I would receive is almost directly proportional to the amount I give to the people who work with me. Sometimes, I hear teachers balk at this idea and say, in effect, “Our school leaders and middle managers or teachers should not be the ones deferring to students. Respect has to be earned, and, like it or not, it can move in only one direction at their age in school.” In some ways, that observation may be true. But respect is not the same as compliance. Respect is the way in which we demonstrate that other people have value, even if that value arises only from their potential, which is the case of our students. The school leader who does not show consideration for middle managers, the middle manager who disrespect teachers and teachers who are dismissive of students, all of whom, in my opinion, had undermined his own authority already.

Hence, it is important that I evaluate myself candidly on the level of respect I am demonstrating to others. Then I can consider whether there is any correlation between the amount of respect I show my colleagues and the amount I have been shown in return.